LA Rams: PK Matt Gay’s double duty and other week 2 standouts

The LA Rams were defeated by the Las Vegas Raiders (17-16) this past Saturday. Even though the Rams did not finish with a victory, there were still many players that stood out on the field. The secondary on defense did a nice job stopping the big downfield plays, as well as reading the Raiders’ running game during the first half. Offensively, the Rams did very well with the running game, as well as moving the chains with their speedy wideouts.

Three players for the LA Rams saw extensive playing time. These including QB Bryce Perkins, RB Jake Funk, and PK Matt Gay. The young quarterback and running back, as well as their second-year kicker, took advantage of their playing time and made a stand for themselves.

Bryce Perkins:

Perkins started at quarterback and played the entire game. He recorded two touchdowns and one interception, throwing for 208 yards, according to theScore. He also used his elusive speed in rushing nine times for 41 yards. He led the Rams offense on three scoring drives during the game and really stepped up when it was time to make a play.

One of Perkins’ bigger plays was in the red zone on fourth-and-five. He rushed for six yards to get the first down. That extended the drive, where the team eventually scored a touchdown. He was able to find the open man at the back of the end zone with a two-yard strike to tight end Jacob Harris. Overall Bryce Perkins’ performance was praiseworthy, and he definitely proved he belongs on the team as the backup quarterback.

Los Angeles Rams

Jake Funk:

Rookie Jake Funk alternated in as the starting running back in the second preseason game after RB Xavier Jones started during the previous contest. Funk made a lot of good plays with his explosiveness out of the backfield. He even showed some grit and determination as he continued to fight for extra yards on each play.

Right out of the gates, he was electrifying. While it’s way too early to heap on the praises, he looked a bit like free agent RB Marshawn Lynch and current Minnesota Vikings RB Dalvin Cook, with his quick cutbacks and speed out of the gaps into daylight. Funk rushed seven times for 56 yards and had a couple of big ones for 10+ yards. His longest run was 19 yards.  It was quite clear that he was far more determined and prepared to deliver in this one.

Matt Gay:

With both of the LA Rams punters Corey Bojorquez and Johnny Hekker assigned to the team’s Reserve/COVID-19 list on game day, the Rams were forced to promote kicker Matt Gay into an emergency punter role.  With no warning, the veteran had to step up big time and start as the Rams’ punter.

Gay made one of the two field goals he attempted, the second being blocked. Keep in mind that the starting punter typically servers as the holder on field goals, so Gay was impacted there too. As the punter, he booted four punts for an average of 42.0 yards per punt. Unfortunately, the Rams coverage unit continued to struggle, and the Raiders punt return unit put up 43 yards on four returns. The Rams are trying

Due to Gay having to become the Rams’ emergency punter, and kick field goals with a new placeholder, he still played a good game, especially with the situation the team is in regarding their special teams.